Became The Premier League’S Youngest Manager [EN]: Chapter 64

“Yo.”

“Jesse! Long time no see. What brings you here?”

The person on the other end of the sudden phone call was Jesse Marsch, who had coached RB Salzburg and RB Leipzig in succession and was now living as a recluse.

Hyungmin felt a flash in his head at the unexpected call from his senior, who had cherished him as a junior manager since his days at RB Salzburg.

“Jesse, could it be…?”

“Yes, it’s probably what you think it is.”

“Leeds United?!”

He said that he had already received an offer from Victor Orta, the football director of Leeds United, when he visited Leeds last time.

Marcelo Bielsa had notified the club in advance that he would not renew his contract after the season, regardless of the results.

For Leeds, who had a list of replacements in preparation for that situation, Jesse Marsch’s resignation from RB Leipzig, which meant they didn’t have to pay compensation, was a perfect fit.

Jesse Marsch confessed that he had been quietly looking for a house in Leeds for his family to live in, agreeing to remain silent until the club made an official announcement.

“Wow! Congratulations!”

“Yeah. I was a bit taken aback, but things just turned out this way.”

Currently, Leeds United is comfortably in 9th place in the Premier League.

Unless there is a major disaster, their stay in the Premier League was certain.

With the pleasant words, ‘Let’s meet in the Premier League next season,’ Jesse Marsch ended the short call.

***

The Premier League 28th round match, which came after easily defeating Wycombe Wanderers 3-0 in the midweek game last Wednesday after a long time.

Burnley and Manchester United, who had a thrilling match in the first half at Old Trafford, leading 2-1 but losing 3-2, faced off again at Turf Moor, Burnley’s home stadium.

Manchester United had climbed to 2nd place in the Premier League under Ralf Rangnick, but lost again to Arsenal and Liverpool.

Manchester United, who were furious at falling to 4th place after losing to rival clubs in a row, and Burnley, who had climbed to 5th place in the league after defeating Newcastle, collided head-on.

Burnley, whose best eleven was now almost confirmed, presented a 4-3-3 formation.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope, with defenders Matt Lowton, James Tarkowski, Abdu Diallo, and Charlie Taylor from right to left.

In preparation for the departure of captain Ben Mee after the season, Burnley is gradually increasing the playing time of Senegalese newcomer Abdu Diallo.

Meanwhile, in midfield, Nicolas Seiwald as a defensive midfielder, and Josh Brownhill as a central midfielder in charge of attacking development.

Breaking the critics’ expectations that Nico Gonzalez would be put in the remaining spot instead of Hannibal Mejbri, who was banned from playing as a Manchester United loanee, Jacob Ramsey started.

In addition, the attack featured Dwight McNeil and Karim Adeyemi on the left and right, and Wout Weghorst, a Dutch newcomer who had not yet scored or assisted, but was playing a key role as bait and anvil, engaging in a battle with the opposing central defenders.

On the other hand, Manchester United presented a 4-2-3-1 formation decorated with a splendid starting lineup worthy of their reputation.

With David de Gea in goal, right-back Benjamin Pavard, a key defender for the French national team, was signed from Bayern Munich, the strongest team in the German Bundesliga [German Football League], for £30.5 million in the winter transfer market.

The central defenders were captain Harry Maguire, a key player for the England national team, and Raphael Varane, a key player for the French national team.

As a left-back, Francisco Ortega, a promising player signed from Velez, a prestigious club in the Argentine First Division, in the winter transfer market, is filling the void of Luke Shaw, who is the starting player.

In the central midfield were Brazilian Fred and Fausto Vera, a promising player signed from Argentinos Juniors, a prestigious club in the Argentine First Division, in the same winter transfer market.

Above them, the attack featured Cristiano Ronaldo as a right winger, Jadon Sancho as a left winger, and Edinson Cavani as a central striker above attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes.

Before the game started.

In the final tactical check, Hyungmin reiterated the overall strategy and points to be aware of to the players.

“Manchester United was our opponent in the first half, but their organization has improved a lot since then. They have definitely signed good players in this winter transfer market. If Fred, who has a lot of activity, sweeps left and right to press and defend, Fausto Vera, who has good passing and defensive skills, sits deep to support the defense and distribute the ball forward.”

In Manchester United’s 4-2-3-1 formation, which was placed in an equilateral triangle, one of the two central midfielders was pulled down.

“The right defense was weak in the last game, but Benjamin Pavard is a player who is good at both attack and defense. It is expected to be quite troublesome, so Charlie and Abdu should pay special attention, and Dwight should also be careful because he may have to retreat instead of pressing forward in defensive situations.”

The three players in charge of Burnley’s left side nodded.

“On the other hand, Francisco Ortega is a weakness. Of course, he is a good player, but he is inferior to Luke Shaw in both attack and defense. Today, we plan to focus on attacking this side, so when we go on the attack, Karim and Jacob should continue to create a triangle with Matt and knock on the back space.”

Right winger Karim Adeyemi, right central midfielder Jacob Ramsey, and right defender Matt Lowton nodded.

“The rest of the situation is not much different from usual. Cristiano Ronaldo… well, it’s not like you can stop him even if you know it.”

The locker room, which had been tense, flinched for a moment, and then a low laugh flowed among the players.

“Just because you can’t stop him doesn’t mean you don’t have to try to stop him. The key is to defend together, and especially to press forward so that the opposing defense can’t supply the ball forward smoothly. If those four attackers get the ball and come into our penalty box, the only answer is to defend with our bodies.”

Hyungmin, who had finished giving instructions, looked around at the players who were still tense.

“Good!”

When the manager’s instructions were finished, James Tarkowski, who was wearing the captain’s armband instead of captain Ben Mee, who was not starting, looked around at the players and shouted.

“Let’s go and show those Manchester guys the hot taste of the country bumpkins!”

“Hey, but why are we always city vs. country?”

In the midst of trying to build momentum, Jacob Ramsey’s question with an innocent expression suddenly made the locker room burst into laughter, and the tension collapsed.

“Because Burnley is a rural backwater!”

“Honestly, everything is a city compared to Burnley!”

“If you want, you can go to the city too!”

Amid the players shouting with laughter everywhere, interim captain James Tarkowski could not scold the young prospect when he saw Jacob Ramsey, who is usually sincere, looking at him with a serious expression as if he was really asking for an answer.

“Ahem. It’s just… distinguishing between the opponent and me, something like that. Why are you so picky!”

“Then… I can just go out and beat Manchester United, right?”

“That’s right! Now, let’s go out and beat Manchester United! For ever and ever! Who are we?”

“We are Burnley!!!”

***

Did some soccer critic say that?

Having Cristiano Ronaldo is like starting every game with at least 1-0.

Hyungmin, the opposing team’s manager, could not help but admire the talent of the era who could score at least one goal per game for any team he belonged to.

Central midfielder Fausto Vera, who went deep into Manchester United’s defense, kicked the ball long to the front.

Edinson Cavani, Manchester United’s central striker, won the competition with Burnley’s central defender Abdu Diallo and headed the ball to his teammate.

And Cristiano Ronaldo, who connected the ball that fell nicely into the penalty box with a half-volley shot after letting it bounce once, would not miss this opportunity.

“Goal! Manchester United’s number 7, Cristiano Ronaldo scores.”

Burnley’s goal net shook, and the Turf Moor announcer’s bland voice echoed.

“Wow… he never gets old.”

Arthur muttered, watching the 37-year-old veteran running to the corner flag and performing his trademark goal celebration.

But he is still too energetic and healthy to be called a veteran.

There are people who criticize him for his lack of defensive involvement, but honestly, he hasn’t been doing defense since he was a promising player for Manchester United, so nothing has changed in the past 20 years.

It is the same now as it was then that a player with crazy activity and defensive power like Manchester United’s unsung hero Park Ji-sung had to support him from behind to balance the team’s defense.

Hyungmin shrugged his shoulders as he watched the striker who had returned to Manchester United after playing for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus, and was playing on the top stage for the 20th season.

“Well, 1-0 in the 7th minute against Cristiano Ronaldo means the game is just starting. I’m not worried about anything.”

“You know, you say you’re excited, but your expression isn’t very good?”

Hyungmin flinched at Arthur’s comment.

“I guess my stomach wasn’t very good last night…”

“Did you empty it all out again? I thought it was getting better, but you’re still a chicken at big games.”

“Can’t you just say I’m timid? What’s a chicken heart, a chicken heart. I’m not some kind of chicken breast dish…”

Ignoring his players who were determined to score a goal while putting the ball on the center mark, the manager and head coach of the Burnley Football Club first team were still having a useless argument today.

But whether the head coach insists on chicken breast or the manager preaches about heart size.

The Burnley players, who had received clear instructions before the game started, were not shaken by the opening goal.

During the first half of the season, they experienced brilliant winning streaks, and also spent painful times with frustrating and humiliating defeats and draws.

Now, the Burnley squad, which has spent more than half a season under Hyungmin’s guidance, knew that it was faster to just score a goal rather than being happy or sad about an opening goal, and they were well aware that it was actually possible for them.

In the 38th minute of the first half, when efforts were being made to find a gap while continuing to press and counterattack against Manchester United’s defense, which was not easily opened.

A crack was finally found on the right side that Hyungmin pointed out and Burnley’s players were eagerly aiming for.

From Manchester United’s left defender Francisco Ortega.